Abu Nujayd said, "A poet came to 'Imran ibn Husayn and 'Imran gave him something. 'Imran was asked, 'You give to a poet?' He said, 'I am preserving my reputation (from his satire).'"  

أَنَّ شَاعِرًا جَاءَ إِلَى عِمْرَانَ بْنِ حُصَيْنٍ فَأَعْطَاهُ فَقِيلَ لَهُ تُعْطِي شَاعِرًا؟ فَقَالَ أُبْقِي عَلَى عِرْضِي